Floor or like construction



J. G. l.. sKAR l1,909,134

FLOOR OR LIKE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 25, 1931 NAI NMI Mgy 16, 1933.

xasww May 16, 1933. 1 G. L SKAR 1,909,134`

FLOOR OR LIKE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 16, 1933 f UNrrrzD STATI-:s

PATE-Nr OFFICE f JOHN G. L. SKAIR, F JAMESTOWNyNEW YORK, NIGNOR TO METAL `CONSTIBJJ'G'LION COIYIIIPAJIY,v OF AMESTOWN, NEW YORK FLOOR OR LIKE CONSTRUCTION y Application led Hay 25,

shelving vstacks to afford easy access to the Y shelves or parts of the stacks at different elevations. My invention is particularly applicable to such floors but it is not necessarily limited to floors forv this purpose.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved flooror the like of novel construction.

. Other objects of the invention are to provide a combined metal and concrete or plastic composition Hoor of novel construction; also to provide a Hoor which is of economical but strong,rigid and durable construction which comprises a thin metal `form in which the concrete or plastic tread material is molded and is constructed so that the metal form and concrete tread cooperate with each other to givestrength and rigidity to the floor; which comprises a thinmetal form in which a layer of tread material is confined and which forms a inishedmetal ceiling or bottom surface for the'floor; in which the floor tread is formed of concrete or analogous plastic material molded and coniined in thin metal forms which are adapted to be readily assembled on the floor supporting beams or members and form a permanent part of the floor and strengthen the concrete tread; in which the concrete or plastic material forming the tread of the floor is adapted to be molded in a sheet metal form vwhich provides upwardly projecting curbs or guards at the edges of the floor that also function as strengthening or load-supporting members of the floor; and which has the other features of improvement and advantage hereinafter described and set lforth inthe claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

i Fig. 1 is a transverse, sectional elevation of 1931. Serial No. 539,677.

a floor embodying my invention, illustrating the same as a gallery between library stacks. Figs. v2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional elevations thereof on lines 2--2 and 3-3,fre spectively, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the floor showing a portion of the tread removed to disclose the underlying metal form.

represents floor-supporting beams or members which, in the library stack structure illustrated in the drawings, extend transversely across the aisles between two stacks of shelving of the skeleton frame structure of the shelving stacks, or may be floor kor analogous support-y ing elements.r The beams 1() shown are I- beams, but they may be of other form, but

preferably are provided with oppositely rol jecting, horizontal top flanges 12. upported by the beams and extendingy lengthwise ofthe aisle, transversely of the loor beams 10, is a metal form.Y or flooring structure preferably composed of similar sections, each extending from one floor beam 10 to the next and resting at its opposite ends on the tops ofadjacent beams, the several sections 11. These beams may be a part of this form being varranged end to end, or i with their ends contiguous or abutting above the beams 10. Each section of this metal form is preferablyrmade yof a sheet metal plate bent to form a horizontal bottom 13, upturned side edge flanges 14 and upturned end flanges 15. The side flanges 14 are prefl erablyl formed with rebent or downwardly and inwardly extending, inclined margins or portions 16. These sections are adapted to be secured in place end to end on the floor beams 10 in any suitable manner, as for instance, by means of boltsV 17 extending through the top flanges of the beams and through the overlying end portions of the bottoms 13 of the form sections. The metal formfsections thus arranged, form a continuous, shallow, metal trough or form having upstanding side guards or flanges. 1

Within the metal form or trough thus constructed is a layer of material v18 which forms the tread of the floor This tread is preferably made of concreteor a plastic compositionad'apted to be T aread or molded in the metal form or trough formed by the metal sections 13. In the case of a concrete floor tread for example, the concrete, while in suitably fluid condition, is poured or spread in the form or trough so as to form a relatively shallow layer of the concrete. Preferably the concrete layer is reinforced by mesh or other suitable metal bonding or reinforcing material 19 which is embedded inthe layer of concrete and serves the usual function of metal bonds or reinforcements in concrete stuctures, In erecteing or con structing the floor, the several sections 13 of the metal trough are preferably secured in position end to end on the beams 1() and then a layer of the concrete or tread material is placed or molded in the continuous trough formed by the trough sections so that the tread material is continuous across and covers the joints between the several sections of the metal trough or form. Thus, while the metal form or trough is of sectional formation, the tread material is preferably continuous or extends without joints from end to end of the floor.

When molding the tread material in the metal form or trough, the tread material is worked or forced into the grooves between the portions 14 and 16 of its side flanges of the metal form or trough and the layer of tread material is made deep enough for the lower edges of the rebent portions 16 of the side flanges to be embedded in the body of the tread material. The side flanges thus conline the tread material and the latter acts as a bond or tie between the upstanding curbs or flanges of the floor, so that the metal form or trough and the tread material mutually coact to form a strong, rigid floor which, though of relative little vertical depth or thickness, has great supporting strength.

The end flanges 15 of the form or trough sections are also embedded in the tread material and thus act to prevent longitudinal displacement of the tread material in the trough, while the material, when set, forms al strong bond between the sections of the metal form or trough. The flooring thus construct-ed, therefore, while it maybe of relatively small depth or thickness, nevertheless has great tensile and load supporting strength and rigidity both lengthwise and transversely of the floor.

In the construction shown, the bottom plates of the metal form or trough sections are alsobent to form a longitudinal conduit or recess 20 extending lengthwise of the trough, preferably midway between its side edges. This recess forms a conduit or compartment extending lengthwise of the floor in which electrical conductors for lighting or Yother purposes can be enclosed by removable cover pieces 21. The cover pieces 21 shown are of channel shape cross section having side flanges which extend into the conductor conduit, and the ends of these cover pieces rest upon the tops of the floor beams 10. The conduit covers are thus adapted to be supported and retained in place by the floor beams. Preferably the cover pieces are made of such width that they fit snugly between the side walls of the conduit so that they have to be forced into place in the conduit, and the frictional engagement of the flanges with the side walls of the conduit assists in holding the covers in place. The bottom surfaces of the cover pieces 21 are preferably flush with or in the same plane as the bottom surfaces of the bottom plates of the form sections.

This channel shaped formation between the side edges of the form or trough also serves to stiften the form or trough and cooperate with the relatively deep side flanges or curbs of the floor to prevent sagging or bending of the floor between the supporting beams 10.

In practice, the metal form or trough sections are fabricated in lengths suitable to the spacing of the floor beams or supports in the particular building or structure in which the floor is to be installed. The sections, thus made to size. can be quickly and easily placed and secured in position to complete the form, and it is a very practical and economical proceeding to spread the concrete or tread material in this metal form. The floor constructed as described possesses the further advantage of providing a finished metal ceiling on its underside.

I claim:

1. A floor or the like comprising a troughlike metal form having upstanding side flanges and a layer of tread material arranged in said form on the bottom thereof and confined by the side flanges of said form, the side flanges of said metal form projecting above the tread material and forming upwardly projecting side curbs for said floor.

2. A floor or the like comprising a thin metal form having an upstanding side flange with a downwardly extending marginal portion, and a layer of tread material confined in said form, said side flanges projecting above the tread material and the marginal portion of said flange being embedded in said tread layer.

3. A floor comprising a thin metal form having opposite upwardly projecting side flanges with inwardly and downwardly extending marginal portions, and a layer of tread material confined within said form between said side flanges and extending into the grooves between the upwardly and downwardly extending portions of said side flanges, and said side flanges forming curbs projecting above said tread material.

4. A floor or the like comprising a metal form composed of sections arranged end to end and having upstanding flanges at opposite side edges of said sections, and upstanding flanges at the end edges of said sections, and tread material confined in said form by said iianges and extending over said end flanges and continuously across the joints between said form sections.

5. A floor or the like comprising a metal form composed of sections arranged end to end and having upstanding flanges atopposite side edges of the sections and tread material confined in said form by said flanges and extending continuously Vacross the joints between said form sections, said form sections having ilanges at their adjacent end edges embedded in the tread layer.

6. A Hoor or the like comprising metal plates arranged end to end and having upturned flanges at their meeting ends, and a continuous layer of concrete material supported on said plates and extending over said Hanged ends and across the joints between said end flanges, means for supporting said plates at their adjacent flanged ends, said plates having also upturned anges at their side edges and stiffening reinforcement-s extending lengthwise of the plates between said side flanges and projecting upwardly from the plates into said concrete layer.

7. The combination of spaced floor supports, a iioor comprising a trough-like metal form composed of sections arranged end to end and resting at their ends on said supports, said sections having upstanding side langes and upstanding end flanges, and a layer of concrete tread material confined in said form between the side ianges thereof, and having the end flanges of said form sections embedded in said material.

8. The combination of spaced beams, thin metal plates arranged end to end and each extending from one to another of the beams and being supported thereby, said plates having reenforcing portions which c extend transversely of the beams and stiiien the plates between the beams, and concrete material heldv on said plates yby portions thereof and covering the joints between said plates, said plates having side'flanges projecting above said concrete material and forming raised curbs at the sides thereof.

9. 'A floor or the like comprising thin metal plates arranged end to end and supported at their ends, said plates being stiffened between the end supports by a downwardly opening longitudinal channel between their side edges, and a layer of tread material secured on said plates and crossing the joints between the plates.

JOHN G. L. SKAR. 

